Cumbria Way 4

 Day Four

I feel repetitive saying that it’s been another lovely day, but it has. Beautiful views, beautiful sunshine, beautiful mood. 

After a less than brilliant night’s sleep and a paltry breakfast (not the YHA’s finest hour) I set off along the valley.

My first stop after a short walk was at a phone box to call home. After days without signal it was good to talk. I popped a whole pound in but still read the phone number out just in case. I think waiting for it to ring would have been the nostalgic icing on the cake. God bless OS maps for including the important details. 

Then what followed was a day of simple navigation from one valley to another. 

I trundled along. Talked to sheep. Stopped for a snack or two and stared around me. Eventually I hit the head of the valley and the very close together contour lines. The path zig zags up and up, seemingly forever, and then one last glimpse of the the valley, around the bend and you’re done.  In the basin at the top I was surprised to find myself carrying on rather than collapsing in a heap.   A stroll along then another bend and the Langdale valley peeped into view. The path and river laid out before me as did the zig zaggy lakeland stair* descent. 

After that it was a straight walk through the valley. I stopped to talk to people I passed, including the young couple totally lost having tried, mapless, to follow a wainwright guide book. Looking at the little sketch I found myself channelling UVHS and explaining that you need to look for the features around the path, not just hope you’ll notice the path.  The ladies at Skiddaw Hostel would have been proud.  

 

After no time at all I was into the bunkhouse. The shower (after poor efforts from YHA) was delightful and now I’m enjoying tea and wine in the sun. Ready for the penultimate day tomorrow. 

*you know, the paths with big rocks that end up like steps.